Tuesday, June 5, 2018

August 2018 Solicits

I have covered the new direction of Supergirl around the time it was announced but shortly thereafter, the solicits were officially released. I haven't had much time to cover this recently given the explosion of news. So here I am finally getting around to the August books. Here is a link for all the DC solicitations on Newsarama: https://www.newsarama.com/40028-dc-comics-august-2018-solicitations.html

And here are the super-books on sale at the end of the summer, starting with the new direction of Supergirl.

SUPERGIRL #21written by MARC ANDREYKOart by KEVIN MAGUIREcover by TERRY DODSON and RACHEL DODSONvariant cover by AMANDA CONNERblank variant cover availableMourning the loss of the Kryptonians wiped out by Rogol Zaar, Supergirl decides to play detective and sets off into deep space to learn more about the would-be usurper. Using whatever tech she can scrounge, Supergirl builds a star cruiser, and after intel from Green Lantern, she blasts off into the cosmos with Rogol Zaar’s deadly axe to solve the mystery—along with a traveling companion you won’t believe!

I suppose I will need to read the book before making any broad statements about this direction. This is completely different. A space detective? Again mourning the loss of Kryptonians? Building a star cruiser?

I don't know if we have learned who the traveling companion is yet so that mystery intrigues.

I do like that we get an Amanda Conner variant. And a blank cover! So DC is putting some publicity push behind this.

ACTION COMICS #1002written by BRIAN MICHAEL BENDISart and cover by PATRICK GLEASONvariant cover by FRANCIS MANAPULvariant cover by DAVID MACKA bold new era of the adventures of the Man of Steel continues as bodies fall from the sky and buildings burn around the City of Tomorrow. Even Superman must wonder how well he knows the city he protects as an unknown criminal element begins to rise throughout Metropolis.

Is an 'unknown criminal element' going to be a new version of Intergang?

The visualization of bodies falling from the sky is a strong one. How does that happen?

Three covers! I wonder if these are like recent variants, available 1:1 with the regular covers. Or are we back to pricier variants.

SUPERMAN #2written by BRIAN MICHAEL BENDISart and cover by IVAN REIS and JOE PRADOvariant cover by ADAM HUGHESvariant cover by DAVID MACKThe world quakes and shakes as it begins to succumb to the effects of the entire planet being moved into the lifeless realm known as the Phantom Zone. As Superman works with the World’s Greatest Heroes, an old enemy trapped in the same prison returns to stop the Man of Steel and escape.

Another book with three covers. So DC is giving all the monthly super-books a strong cover push.

How odd to think of all of Earth being sent to the Zone. The flat mirror visual, ripped from Donner, is a little new to the actual DCU. And I hope it isn't Zod who escapes. We have seen too much of him. Maybe Xa-Du?

ADVENTURES OF THE SUPER SONS #1written by PETER J. TOMASIart by CARLO BARBERI and ART THIBERTcover by DAN MORAvariant cover by JORGE JIMENEZThe Super Sons are back in an all-new 12-issue miniseries written by Peter J. Tomasi! Check out the lost and secret adventures of Damian Wayne (Robin) and Jon Kent (Superboy) in this flashback miniseries that takes a deep dive into the bombastic bromance between the sons of the DC Universe’s greatest heroes. It’s an epic dual storyline that transcends current events, as Superboy and Robin find themselves targets of an interstellar team of young badasses called the Gang.

And then this surprise. I complained about Super Sons cancellation loudly when it was announced. So I was happy to see that it was just a delay. I'm not happy this is just a maxi-series. And I'm kind of bummed this will be a story from the past, giving Bendis carte blanche for the present.

But it was those last two words that really grabbed me!

I can only hope that this Gang is actually new version of The Gang, the old school Supergirl villain group.

Maybe if I wish hard enough, it'll happen!

So not a bad month. Four books, lots of new directions, and some DC push on all of them.

9 comments:

Anonymous
said...

Supergirl's book sounds intriguing. I'm not overly enthused with a "new direction". How many "new directions" the character has gone since 1971? I'm convinced it's eroded the fanbase, who are sick of the cycle of new start-character derailment-course correcting-new start.

Then again, I think a number of fans didn't like the CW show setup so it may be a good idea stay away from it for a while. Whatever it happens, I think DC will keep the National city setting and the Danvers.

I'm wary over AC, but Bendis is doing good for now. But the whole planet in the Zone? And who is that old enemy? I don't think it's Zod because he was out, but Bendis isn't above of ignoring continuity when it suits him.

Robin and Superboy -or Superboy and Robin- fighting the Gang would be great.

I reiterate Black is a TERRIBLE color for a supergirl costume, the only thing possibly worse would be pink. I'm heartily sick of the reboots restarts reimaginings and all the other rubbish with Supergirl as well, but again I repeat myself. As for her seat-mate on this one, It'll likely be a headscratcher since this incarnation of Supergirl has had limited interactions with the rest of the DCU and even the "Superman Family" as a rule...I'll read this book to be sure, but its another case of "the enemy of the perfect is the good" which is a lesson DC has refused to learn since the days of Jack Kirby and the 4th World, so why would they ever wanna start now with Supergirl?

Could Supergirl's traveling companion be a Green Lantern? Someone with a knowledge of space and alien cultures could be a help as Kara travels across the universe. Or maybe one of the Guardians? Detective Chimp?

I'm also wondering if a couple of Supergirl's new costumes could be Kryptonian wear for meeting with alien dignitaries and VIPs? The ones with the long sash seem impractical for day to day superheroing. I do like the idea of Supergirl building her own star cruiser. And playing space detective could give Kara a chance to use her super-intelligence, something that is always welcome.

TO INFINITY AND BEYOND!!!

And then, please, back to adventures on Earth and National City and a steady supporting cast.

To be honest, I think her travelling companion is Krypto. If it had been another hero, I don't think this would have been part of the Supergirl ongoing, it would more likely have been a mini-series where they promoed the teamup very clearly.

Krypto would be a really fun teamup. I might prefer Babs or Jon to see that interaction, but I'm all aboard for Space Detective+Dog